This week: Woodchucking, An Itchy Witch Situation, Getting Published, and Dealing with a Disneyland Dad. I’m not sure I have the answer you want but I have the answer you’ll get today.

Dear Juliette,

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

~ Tongue Tied

Dear Tongue Tied,

Really? Woodchucks?

If a woodchuck could chuck wood it wouldn’t be much. They have little bitty arms and can’t throw logs like some great big Vampire guy could. I’d say after a hefty pile of kindling, say about a twenty-five gallon drum full the poor little critter would be exhausted for a week.

~ Juliette

Look at those tiny little woodchuck arms.

Dear Juliette,

How do I get my book published? Should I go with an agent or publish it myself?

~ New Novelists

Dear New Novelists,

How about you just start drinking now. Start with vodka. I like it on ice with about three big olives. Then move on to gin. Buy a couple of gallons of each at Costco. Make sure you have enough limes, olives, cocktail onions, and ice on hand.

Make sure your manuscript is perfect and complete. Send it to an editor to make sure there are no errors.

Make sure your query letter is perfect.

Research your agents.

Follow the instructions given by each individual agent EXACTLY.

Send your query to 23,000 agents.

Keep a spreadsheet of who you’ve sent letters to, including the agency name, date sent, and results. Make sure you put expected kill date on your spreadsheet (the final date you can expect to hear from the agent.) Remember not all agents will send letters when they don’t want you.

Good Luck.

Indie Publishing

Go to the Indies Unlimited web site for articles and resources.

Start at Amazon.com and follow the instructions.

Make sure your book is PERFECT.

Do not make the mistake of having an amateurish looking cover. A childish drawing or unprofessional type treatment will kill your sales. Find a professional to help you with the cover. It will be well worth the money.

Write a great jacket cover description – even for e-books. A great description will encourage readers to BUY your book. Think about it.

Be prepared to get that publicity machine going. Promote it like crazy. Get people to write reviews.

Create a blog or web page for your book.

Create an author pages on Facebook and Twitter.

About reviews: If someone writes a less than great review just let it go. Trolls are looking for a reaction. Don’t give it to them.

Note: Do not fall victim of vanity publishers. You should NEVER pay an agent for a reading fee. Publishing on Amazon, B&N, and many other sites is FREE. No charge. You should never pay out-of-pocket for printing up front. If they ask for money it is time for you to RUN. There are a lot of services saying they’ll publish your book for a fee. DON’T DO IT. A lot of people are waiting out there for inexperienced glassy eyed writers to take their bait. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be bait. You can do it all for free starting with Amazon, and many, many, many other places. PLEASE go to the Indies Unlimited web site before you start.

Then, no matter what route you choose go have some cake. Everybody likes cake.

He’d get rid of that writer’s block if he’d just have some cake.

Dear Juliette,

I accidentally bit a Witch and I think that he cursed me. And now I can’t find him so that I can say that I am sorry. Do you happen to know how to remove curses. I can’t take this infernal itching any more.

~ Itching for an Answer

Dear Itching,

Awwww man, I am so sorry to hear that. I like Witches only slightly less than I like ghosts which is not at all. They’re all so sneaky and vindictive. But I waver from my usual political correctness – not all Witches are like that…Oh just strike me with lightning right now because I am not going to say anything nice about them. I don’t know anyone who gets butt-hurt like a Witch. They’re so over sensitive.

Alright, removing a curse isn’t easy but it can be done.

First things first. How in the world did you accidentally bite a Witch? The throes of passion? An unfortunate fall? Trying to get away from the gingerbread house?

But before we get to removing that curse – make sure you rub your itch with Witch Hazel. No puns intended. The stuff works, or at least it will make things seem a little bit better.

I asked several experts on the subject about your problem.

If you can’t find your Witch you’ll have to resort to kissing. Yes, kissing is the cure for just about every itching spell. Your best bet is a Werewolf, on the lips, in human form. If you can’t find a Werewolf then you have to kiss a real courtesan. I kid you not – where do you think cortisone cream got its name? The third choice (it isn’t a frog) is to kiss someone who broke your heart. But wait, you have a fourth choice. Kiss a child on the forehead then teach the darling the lyrics of Scratch That Itch by Ratt. I know that sounds extreme but I know you can do it. The child will have no idea what it means. Absolutely no idea. It will work with your own kid, or in a pinch your parrot or myna bird. On the other hand the lyrics are kind of dirty. So if you know any big babies who are really adults it might work with them. Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

Good luck.

~ Juliette

Dear Juliette,

I am divorced with two kids. My ex is always taking them to movies, restaurants, Chuck E Cheese, and other places I can’t afford. I feel like I need to financially compete for their love and I’m broke! My question is, where should I exsanguinate him for maximum effect? I want to make sure he “gets the message.”

~ Broke Mom

Dear Broke Mom,

I hate Chuck E Cheese with a passion. Disneyland Dads (and sometimes moms) can be so frustrating. If your kids are old enough to “get it” explain to them, gently, without malice, that Dad has more money and until the National wage gap problem is solved you can’t compete with material objects but you love them more than the universe. Tell them that this isn’t a contest and you aren’t going to play. Children know at an early age that if they are allowed to they can play their parents off of each other. Don’t buy into it. They know a lot more than parents give them credit for.

I’m sure you’ve talked to your ex until you’re ready to scream, or maybe you’ve already screamed. As for the exsanguination, there are several options. Since I don’t know this guy’s personality I might be off track. First you can take him back to court and get more child support. That is messy and expensive. You could also tell him that since he can afford everything else that he has to pay for braces, math tutors, AP and SAT tests, sports fees and all the other high ticket items. I’m sure you’ve done that too. But do it with a smile. Be super nice – it will creep him out and make him wonder what is going on.

Yes indeed, all of that expensive fun is like crack to kids. Unless you send them on a crazy insane guilt trip (and you don’t want to do that) they are going to love every minute of the love Daddy is buying.

So where do you do your real blood letting? Anywhere is good, just as long as you don’t do it in front of your kids. Unfortunately this isn’t like the old days when you really could drain him dry.

This is, to date the most difficult question I’ve had to answer and I don’t really have a great answer.

Just remember, no matter what, talk to your kids and always keep the lines of communication open with them. Listen to them. Spend time with them. Be happy around them. They’ll “get it” eventually. In the end they’ll know you’re the Mom and the one who will be there for them no matter what, good times or bad.

These are real questions from real readers. If you have a question about relationships, parenting, Vampires, paranormal stuff, fashion, Zombies, art, or ANYTHING just ask and I’ll try to answer. If might not be the answer you expect, but it will be an answer.

I’m glad I’ve never had the misfortune of biting a witch. Or ever encountering one for that matter. Except for one family member but we’re not to speak ill of the dead so, ok, no witches in my vicinity.

Excellent advice on all counts. I feel for the parent with the ex who is spending all that money. You’re right, it does get better as the kids get older but it sure bites when you’re going through it.

I’m still trying to wrap my mind about how one accidentally bites a witch. Be lucky you don’t have any witches around – that would be one more stupid thing to add to the mix. I hear they are partial to stealing air conditioning units and flushing things down toilets too. Thanks for dropping by!